Which term refers to malicious software that can damage a computer system?

The term that refers to malicious software designed to damage or disrupt computer systems is "malware." This term encompasses a wide variety of harmful software programs, including viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware, and spyware, all of which can lead to various levels of harm to a computer or network. Malware is specifically crafted to infiltrate or damage systems, steal sensitive information, or perform other nefarious tasks.

In contrast, firmware refers to the software programmed into the hardware that provides low-level control for the device's specific hardware. It is essential for the basic functioning of the device but doesn't inherently refer to malicious activity.

Utility software serves specific tasks that help maintain, manage, and optimize computer resources, such as disk management tools or antivirus programs. This type of software is not associated with malicious actions but rather assists in improving system performance.

Driver software is specialized software that allows the operating system to communicate effectively with hardware devices, such as printers and graphics cards. While drivers are essential for device functionality, they do not involve malicious intent or actions.

Thus, malware is clearly the term that encompasses software specifically created to cause damage to computer systems.